Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment

Ketamine is a prescription drug that is classified as a dissociative anesthetic.

It also has hallucinogenic and psychedelic properties, and it is often abused for the effects it can illicit. When ketamine is abused, it distorts the senses, causing the user to experience strange sights and sounds. It also produces a sense of detachment from the environment and oneself. Ketamine is occasionally used in medical settings in humans before surgery and other procedures, but it is most often used as a tranquilizer in veterinary practice.

Ketamine can be found as a white powder or a clear liquid. The liquid form of ketamine is often stolen from veterinary offices and then sold as a recreational drug. When used recreationally, it is most often injected. The liquid form of the drug can also be heated and evaporated, leaving a white powder that is then snorted or orally ingested. Ketamine is often combined with other illicit substances, particularly opiates, marijuana, and alcohol. The powder is sometimes added to tobacco or marijuana and smoked.

Ketamine Withdrawal

According to the University of Maryland Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), there is little evidence suggesting that it is possible to become physically dependent on ketamine.¹ Some chronic and frequent users develop a psychological dependence and will experience cravings when not taking the drug.

Repeated exposure to ketamine causes the body to stop responding to the drug as it once did, leading the individual to use larger and larger doses to achieve the desired effects. This can contribute to the cycle of ketamine abuse and addiction, prompting the individual to continually seek out the drug despite negative consequences. Tolerance can develop very rapidly, particularly if the individual uses ketamine in a binge cycle, in which the drug is administered multiple times in a short period.

The Journal of Psychoactive Drugs published a study finding that withdrawal from ketamine may be similar to withdrawal from other addictive drugs, such as cocaine, that produce very strong cravings and a high tolerance but do not generally lead to the physical symptoms often associated with withdrawal from other substances.² Individuals who are addicted to ketamine will continue using the drug in response to the overpowering cravings they experience when trying to quit.

Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of ketamine withdrawal may include:

• Cravings for the drug
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Shakes
• Sweating
• Heart palpitations
• Elevated body temperature

Ketamine Withdrawal Timeline

There is conflicting evidence regarding ketamine withdrawal.³ Some researchers claim ketamine abstinence after prolonged use does not typically cause a physical withdrawal state.⁴

However, other researchers have observed some psychological ketamine come-down effects that may take effect starting a few hours to a few days after last use.

The day after last ketamine use, a user may experience a mood-related “come down” from their ketamine high. From day 12-30 after last Ketamine use, people may experience anxiety, shakes, sweating or elevated body temperature, and heart palpitations.⁵ Another risk of Ketamine withdrawal is cravings. Cravings are the most-cited reason that patients tend to relapse on ketamine.⁵

Ketamine Withdrawal Detox Treatment & Tapering

Symptoms of the psychological withdrawal syndrome associated with chronic ketamine abuse can sometimes be managed by slowly tapering the dose of ketamine over a span of days or weeks. By tapering ketamine use, rather than stopping all use abruptly, the body can better adjust to the absence of the drug.

This can lessen cravings and make the detox process easier.

Because ketamine withdrawal does not generally involve physical symptoms, it is often possible to stop drug use altogether without tapering the dose. This may be recommended in cases in which chronic long-term use has led to damage to the urinary tract, and stopping all drug use is necessary in order to improve bladder function. Stopping ketamine use suddenly, particularly after long-term abuse, can cause intense cravings and discomfort. A medical professional should be consulted before attempting to detox from ketamine; this professional can determine if using a tapered dose or quitting “cold turkey” would be best. Medications may be prescribed to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

Treatment for Ketamine Addiction

Treatment for ketamine addiction can help someone who is struggling with ketamine abuse recover and achieve long-term abstinence from this dissociative drug.

Before someone seeks comprehensive treatment for ketamine addiction, they may wish to first attend a detox center. Detox centers help people struggling with substance use disorders rid drugs from their body in a safe and secure environment surrounded by medical professionals.

Treatment for addiction may also include:⁶

• Long-term residential treatment.
• Short-term residential treatment.
• Outpatient treatment programs.
• Individual therapy and counseling.
• Group therapy and counseling.

Sources

1. Maryland Drug Early Warning System. (1999). Dews Alert: Ketamine.
2. Karl L.R. Jansen & Rachael Darracot-Cankovic. (2001). The Nonmedical Use of Ketamlne, Part Two: A Review of Problent Use and Dependence, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 33:2, 151-158, DOI.
3. Celia J. A. Morgan & H. Valerie Curran. (2011). Ketamine use: a review.
4. Kalsi, S. S., Wood, D. M., & Dargan, P. I. (2011). The epidemiology and patterns of acute and chronic toxicity associated with recreational ketamine use. Emerging health threats journal, 4, 7107. 
5. H.R. Pal, N. Berry, R. Kumar, R. Ray. (2002). Ketamine Dependence.
6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Types of Treatment Programs.